Leave national parks to the animals

Re: “Report seeks a halt to development in Banff and Jasper national parks,” July 12.

Our footprint in national parks grows with no end in sight.

Development never ends. Treating parks as an economic engine dooms conservation efforts. Yearly visitors to Banff outnumber caribou 3.8 million to zero. So much for balance.

Every day, wildlife runs a gauntlet of perils — traffic, trains, feeding, litter, pollution, climate change; and ecosystem fragmentation. Open season on wildlife.

Humans have claimed every last square inch outside the parks. Now we have appropriated the parks, too.

The parks are a showcase for human domination. Visitors in their millions destroy what they go to see.

Is there any place on Earth where wildlife can live free from human disturbance? Is there any spot wildlife can call home? If not national parks, then where?

We need to set aside land so other species can survive. No-go zones.

If you care for wildlife, keep out.

Geoffrey Pounder, Rocky Mountain House

B.C. dentist saving patient $190

Re: “Dental fees are a pain,” Editorial, July 12.

My wife is in need of a basic dental procedure that involves examination, X-ray and cleaning. For this procedure last year, she was charged $377 by her dentist in Okotoks.

As we are going to be in Kelowna, B.C., in the near future, she called a recommended dentist in that city for a quote on the same procedure. The Kelowna dentist will perform the same procedure for $187.

For the thousands of Albertans who will be visiting B.C. during the summer, I would suggest that scheduling any needed dental work while you are there, would pay for at least a portion of your trip. The more complex your procedure, the more you save by visiting a B.C. dentist.

Stan Johnston, Okotoks

Doctors’ incomes are ‘massive’

Re: “Radiologists defend millions billed to province,” July 6.

As a physician, it was disconcerting to hear that some radiologists and ophthalmologists were billing AHS nearly $5 million a year. There was again the usual lack of clarity of what the numbers really mean, but it appeared these physicians were taking home $1 million to $1.5 million per year, which is a massive salary by any standards.

What was not mentioned was that millions more are being made by these physician groups in private billings in services that are not essential, so their real income significantly exceeds what was disclosed. We are not privy to that information either, and the physician spokesman was unwilling to reveal his take home pay.

What is more troubling, is we know that physicians’ incomes are a huge component of the health-care budget. We all pay ever-increasing taxes and we continue to have a lack of transparency and accountability in the heath-care system. If the physicians can justify their incomes, then so be it, but if they have to hide behind them, it is worth looking into.

Ian Wishart, Calgary

A tip on restaurant gratuities

Re: “Here’s a tip for Earls,” Editorial, July 13.

I absolutely hate paying for something I didn’t receive. Depending on service received, I tip between 10 and 20 per cent; in most cases, 15.

However, I have on more than one occasion addressed the manager and informed him as to the reason his server received no tip.

One time, in a nice restaurant in Hawaii, I was debating whether 15 or 20 per cent was deserved when we received the bill. Below the amount, the server had written, “does not include gratuity which at 15% is . . ., ” which she had calculated for me.

When I queried her on this, she informed me that they serve many Canadians, and “Canadians don’t tip!”

I told her that we were indeed Canadian and “do tip!” I voiced my displeasure, then told her I would still tip her 15 per cent because she had earned it, but I disliked her attitude.

We have not been to countries that ban tipping, but I’m told by folks who have, that service in restaurants ranges from abysmal to totally lacking. Do we want that here?

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